Moving to the cloud? Think about security from the start

ORGANIZATIONS need to move to the cloud because of the many advantages it provides. Not only does it make operations incredibly efficient but also allows the businesses to save money.

Companies that were holding back or sitting on the fence about migrating to the cloud need to take the plunge now.

However, they need to consider cloud security measures first as the concern about cloud security remains the top reason for businesses trying to resist the change.

Here are three key facts that businesses moving to the cloud need to consider — and talk to IT specialists, cloud service providers (CSPs) and consultants about — in order to plan ahead and reduce security risks:

#1 | Control over data

Moving assets and operations to the cloud will make it seem like there’s less visibility as well as control.

Whose responsibility will protecting the data be — the business or the CSP? How does the business protect their assets if they don’t even know that it is there?

Different types of cloud service model will give businesses varying levels of visibility and control over data.

It can turn out to be frustrating, so a good CSP should be able to recommend to businesses the model type that they need.

#2 | Backup and recovery

When we hit the delete button for data in a traditional local system, we see it gone. However, how do we verify that for data on cloud systems?

The problem is that businesses do not have access to where the data is stored and to verify if it is actually erased. So, can the CSP be trusted?

Cloud infrastructure is built for a seamless transition across devices. This will also mean that the data that you ‘delete’ may not be erased across all devices.

Solution to this risk is for CSPs to use end-to-end encryptions and to provide software updates as often as possible.

#3 | Due diligence

Before selecting a CSP, it is best to do plenty of research and tests.

Some things work brilliantly in theory. Though, it will take tests for us to really see how things play out.

It is necessary for IT professionals to test the entire cloud system out for all probabilities before implementation.

This is to avoid hiccups after the migration, which will cost the company much more in terms of time and effort.

Above that, it can interrupt the business operation as a whole and incur losses. This is why moving to the cloud system and selecting the right CSP should be well-thought-out.

To the average person, cloud computing represents the seamless transition between devices. Though for businesses, technology enables greater efficiency as well as support for its operations.

The reason why cloud computing is favored is simple — it tends to help most organizations optimize operations while saving resources.

Ultimately, all technologies will have risks. The takeaway here is that businesses need to understand the level of security that each cloud service model provides and how it suits the business operations.